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Post by Jolly on Jan 15, 2020 21:34:09 GMT
You have to find the sweet spot in churches. To be honest, I like something in the 100-200 member range. Big enough to have some impact, not big enough to get $$ signs in their eyes or over-gauge their importance.
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Post by DEKE on Jan 15, 2020 21:56:28 GMT
I understand and agree Jolly. But I understand the appeal for the mega church. When I lived in SoFla 30 years ago, I won a behind the scenes tour at a mega church, Coral Ridge Presbyterian in Ft Lauderdale. My grandmother had enjoyed Dr Kennedy on TV and thought it was a blast to meet him and tour the mega facility. They were big enough to have K-12 school, daily after school programs even for kid's who attended elsewhere, concerts, all sorts of ministries inside and outside the church that could appeal to many different folk, you could get a chance to be seen on national TV during the Sunday service if you wanted or worship in an area that was free of TV clutter. There were several services during the weekend to match to your schedule.
The church I grew up in was my center of friends and leisure activities. It was my community; safe, supportive, and a great place for a teen to learn about life. I can see why the big places with big and diverse facilities would appeal to teens. I enjoyed the tour and my grandmother REALLY had fun. She talked about it for years after.
I'm in a different place now, physically and mentally. I'm glad the members of that church find that it meets their needs.
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Post by Tim Horton on Jan 16, 2020 7:47:04 GMT
and can remember all the conversation before and after the service was all about which big money people were there, what they owned, and affluence in general. A more money oriented crowd I've never seen before or since.
As a young man I sat through many a mass watching the people in the front pews.. One guy, a pillar of the community, a pillar of the parish, you name it. Sugar would not melt in this mans mouth.. Then Monday mornings he would take parisiners over the coals at his used car lot. And they would continue to go back to him.. I asked several why they still went there, they gave the deer in the head light look, like... what could you mean by that ??
Since then I've been pretty much a "168" There are 168 hours in a week. One hour a week in church doesn't give anyone permission to be a jerk any of the rest of those hours...
My 5 cents of opinion..
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Post by Johnny D on Jan 16, 2020 10:54:11 GMT
and can remember all the conversation before and after the service was all about which big money people were there, what they owned, and affluence in general. A more money oriented crowd I've never seen before or since. As a young man I sat through many a mass watching the people in the front pews.. One guy, a pillar of the community, a pillar of the parish, you name it. Sugar would not melt in this mans mouth.. Then Monday mornings he would take parisiners over the coals at his used car lot. And they would continue to go back to him.. I asked several why they still went there, they gave the deer in the head light look, like... what could you mean by that ?? Since then I've been pretty much a "168" There are 168 hours in a week. One hour a week in church doesn't give anyone permission to be a jerk any of the rest of those hours... My 5 cents of opinion.. Jesus looking across as John was baptizing rebuking some for not bringing the fruits of repentance.
You can fool some of the people some of the time but you will never fool God some of the time.
I have learned to keep the focus on God as men will fail you... causing you to stumble.
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Post by Johnny D on Jan 16, 2020 10:55:05 GMT
Around here FMC have all converted to UMC
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Post by Dodges Mammaw on Feb 2, 2020 20:23:57 GMT
We attend Cowboy Church. We have been going for 20 years. It has everything we need. Our spirits get fed weekly. Something always felt like it was missing at the Baptist Church. Unorganized offering. Pastor has even said if you think we only want you here for your money send it elsewhere and keep coming.little Penecostal. I love it. Dress how you please come as you are for all have sinned.
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Post by Jolly on Feb 2, 2020 20:25:29 GMT
The Cowboy Church here is a SBC church. Just doesn't say that on the sign.
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Post by Dodges Mammaw on Feb 2, 2020 23:18:13 GMT
There is a very large Cowboy church in our area that is SBC but ours is not.
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Post by Ozarks Tom on Feb 3, 2020 1:44:31 GMT
I've always wondered about Cowboy Church. There's one not too far that's gone from an outside congregation a few years ago to a nice metal building on the same site last year. I was raised Lutheran, my wife Christian Science, so we're not strict doctinalists. We might try it.
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Post by Johnny D on Feb 3, 2020 1:53:05 GMT
We had one here but the Cowboy pastor got too old. They had evening church so if you wanted to go to morning church somewhere you could . My BIL went to Church of God which was his church ... then evening church.
My BIL was married to my sister who died from cancer 23 years ago. He remarried and his second wife treats us all like kin. She went to cowboy also. They did the trail riding thing for about 10 years.... each had a horse.
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Post by joebill on Feb 28, 2020 12:13:35 GMT
Groups of people in close proximity simply do NOT bring out the best in me.....hardly ever....and so I tend to avoid them.
I was in a doctor waiting room a couple of days ago where an old gal was telling the person next to her about her cats....endlessly! When that person was called in for treatment, I thought it was over, but the cat woman simply selected another victim, changed seats, carried on.
She talked nearly without pause for an hour, just loud enough that what I was trying to read made no sense, and I was just about to invite her to shut up when she was called in for treatment.
I admire those of you who can see the good in those around you and tolerate the bad. I just have to maintain my distance......Joe
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